Callers go mobile

A report by national consumer group Choice, however, says there could be disadvantages to hanging up on the home phone. "One part of the equation people often overlook is trying to make calls to someone without a landline," spokesman Christopher Zinn said. "Phoning their mobile is usually going to cost you more."

Choice said residential landlines had decreased by more than 100,000 per year for the three years to June last year, down to 11.3 million. In contrast, mobile phones have grown to 19.8 million.